Two First Timers in Competition at 1997 San Sebastian Film Festival

Two first time directors are among those in competition at next month’s SanSebastian Film Festival, organizers revealed late Friday. The two will alsocompete for the Festival’s New Director’s Prize. “Victory“, an adaptation ofthe Joseph Conrad book, is directed by Mark Peploe and stars Willem Dafoe,Irene Jacob and Sam Neill. The other first timer is acclaimed screenwriterWilliam Nicholson, whose directing debut is entitled “Firelight“. Thefilmmaker received an Oscar nomination for his screenwriting work on“Shadowlands“, directed by Richard Attenborough, and also penned the script forMichael Apted’s 1994 film, “Nell“, starring Jodie Foster.

Previously in competition at the 1985 San Sebastian Film Festival with “LaVieja Musica“, Mario Camus returns to the festival this year with “El Color DeLas Nubes“. Also in competition is Claude Chabrol with “Rien En Va Plus“, hisfiftieth film, starring Isabelle Hupert and Michael Serrault. Alan Rudolph’s“Afterglow“, which is also playing in Toronto, will make the trek to Europe forthe festival, it stars Julie Christie, Nick Nolte, Lara Flynn Boyle, andJohnny Lee Miller. Also screening after a Toronto debut is “Mrs. Dalloway“,Marleen Gorris’ follow up to her successful 1995 film “Antonia’s Line“. Thefilm stars Vanessa Redgrave, Rupert Graves, Alex Cox, Michael Kitchen, andNatascha McElhone. Among others in competition are, “Pandemonium“, directed byRoman Chalbaud and “Cenzia Del Paraiso“, directed by Marcelo Pineyro.

The San Sebastian Film Festival will open with “My Best Friend’s Wedding“,directed by P.J. Hogan, following the films’ successful summertime debutstateside. It will close with David Fincher’s new film, “The Game“.